ENGLAND'S cricket team have been wished luck by Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband ahead of the first Ashes test tomorrow.

'It's good luck from me, and it's good luck from him': Cameron and Miliband wish England luck

The first ball of this summer's test series is scheduled to be bowled at 11am at Trent Bridge, and England start as overwhelming favourites to beat Australia and retain the Ashes.

After the success of the British and Irish Lions down under and Andy Murray's Wimbledon victory, the pressure is on to keep this summer's sporting achievements ticking over.

Both party leaders revealed their favourite Ashes memories in special video messages uploaded to the England and Wales Cricket Board's YouTube channel.

Nothing captures the public's imagination quite like a test match against Australia.

David Cameron

Mr Cameron said: "Whether you remember Botham and Willis at Headingley [in 1981] like I do, or Kevin Pietersen's defiant stand at the Oval in 2005 - and I remember where I was when that happened - nothing captures the public's imagination quite like a test match against Australia."

Mr Miliband called the Ashes tests a "special" moment for English cricket, and said: "I had the privilege of being a seven-year-old in 1977 when I saw Geoffrey Boycott hit his hundredth 100 at Headingley."

England captain Alastair Cook with Australia captain Michael Clarke

The Ashes schedule:

First test - Wednesday July 10 to Sunday July 14, Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Second test - Thursday July 18 to Monday July 22, Lords, London

Third test - Thursday August 1 to Monday August 5, Old Trafford, Manchester